Rookies Watt and Reed shine in loss to Ravens

BALTIMORE – Rookies J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed saved their best for last.

Watt and Reed, the team’s first and second-round picks in the draft, combined for five sacks, 20 tackles, five quarterback hurries and four tackles for loss in the Texans’ 20-13 loss to the Ravens in the divisional playoff game.

“They’ve been excellent all year long,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “They didn’t play like rookies. They played their best football over the last five or six weeks. What a bright future to look forward to.”

In two playoff games, including the 31-10 wild-card victory over Cincinnati, the defense recorded nine sacks – seven by Watt and Reed.

“Those guys did a tremendous job,” inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans said. “They just made so many plays. You could see them grow all season, and then today, man, they made some big-time plays. They couldn’t be stopped.

“They helped us get this far, and they can help us take that next step next season. The sky’s the limit for those two.”

Watt, the first-round pick who plays defensive end in a three-man front and tackle in a four-man front, finished his rookie season with a magnificent performance.

Eight days earlier against the Bengals, Watt returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown that changed the momentum of that game.

“This loss really stings right now,” Watt said. “Playing in these two playoff games was great motivation for us. We were only a few plays from going to the AFC Championship Game. Right now, though, it hurts for us, and it hurts for all of our fans.”

Watt and Reed were part of a superb defensive performance. The Texans limited the Ravens to 227 yards, including 87 rushing. The only thing the defense didn’t do was force a turnover.

Not only did the Texans not intercept Joe Flacco, but the Ravens put the ball on the ground three times and recovered each time.

“It’s tough when you see the ball on the ground, and you don’t get it,” Watt said. “If we had gotten one or two of them, it would have been a different game.”

Reed, the second-round pick who plays outside linebacker in three-man fronts and defensive end in four-man fronts, had 2 ½ sacks, eight tackles, six unassisted tackles, one tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries.

“I have to give credit to the defensive backs,” Reed said. “They did a good job of coverage, and he (quarterback Joe Flacco) couldn’t find a receiver, so we were able to get to him. I think we should have gotten to him more.”

With Watt and Reed playing next to each other, the Ravens’ blockers couldn’t handle them.

“It sucks to lose,” Reed said. “I feel terrible for the older guys who’ve been around here the longest.”

john.mcclain@chron.com

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson tries to make a catch over Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb during the second quarter.

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson tries to make a catch over Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb during the second quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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A Texans fan takes in the game against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter.

A Texans fan takes in the game against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) is smothered by Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing (56) and defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the third quarter.

Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) is smothered by Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing (56) and defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the third quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Ravens defensive back Jimmy Smith scoops up a fumble by the Texans Jacoby Jones who fumbled a punt return after being hit by Ravens cornerback Cary Williams (29) during the first quarter.

Ravens defensive back Jimmy Smith scoops up a fumble by the Texans Jacoby Jones who fumbled a punt return after being hit by Ravens cornerback Cary Williams (29) during the first quarter.